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As I stepped out of the duke’s office, I found Norbert waiting for me.
“…Nothing happened, right?”
“The lower floor.”
“…”
“The duke’s… His Highness’s private training hall, isn’t it?”
“So he told you.”
“Yes…”
Why was it?
Spending the whole day moving between work areas and learning maid duties was tiring, but the brief moment I spent with the duke felt far more exhausting.
It was like all the energy left in my body had been completely drained away.
As I thought, we’re like oil and water.
He may be my enemy, but there was a moment—just a brief one—when I thought of him as a comrade, someone I could cross swords with purely and honestly.
An enemy is still an enemy.
I swore again: I would bring that man’s head to Serhin.
Following Norbert, I walked tiredly along the corridor until a question popped into my mind.
“Master, aren’t you going to check if I memorized the book?”
Norbert replied flatly, “I saw it with my own eyes. That’s enough.”
“That’s kind of sloppy, isn’t it?”
“We’ll verify things one by one from now on. It’s not something you need to worry about.”
“Ah, I see.”
Well, I’d gotten permission to use the private training hall in the end. That alone wasn’t bad for me.
Ah, the private training hall…
The thought of having to share that space with the duke again made my head throb—worse than when I’d faced him on the battlefield.
At that moment, Norbert pulled something from his chest pocket and tossed it toward me.
“Here, catch.”
“Huh?”
I caught the flying object with both hands, and it made a light clink sound.
“It’s the key to His Highness’s private training hall.”
“…!”
I raised my eyebrows and looked at Norbert, who continued speaking.
“Behind the knights’ quarters is Verdant Tower. It’s the tallest building on the estate—you’ll recognize it instantly.”
Ah, I remembered catching a glimpse of that building once.
A tall, ancient-looking tower. Norbert had introduced me to every other building on the estate, but that one, he had conspicuously skipped.
So that’s where his office and the duke’s private training hall are.
I looked down at the key, recalling the building’s appearance.
“My office is on the 4th floor,” Norbert explained. “The 3rd floor below that is His Highness’s training hall—and the one you’ll be using.”
“…Got it.”
I nodded weakly.
Norbert hesitated for a moment, then added, “Don’t get curious about the other floors. Don’t even think about going in. Those are the offices and training halls of other noble retainers.”
“Yes, sir. I wasn’t curious anyway.”
Even with my firm response, Norbert couldn’t hide his unease and warned me again.
“I’m allowing you access to that tower only because of our agreement. But in truth, with your current status and position, it’s not a place you’re allowed to enter. Use it quietly, discreetly.”
“Don’t worry, Master.”
“…”
I nodded several more times, then asked, “Can I start using it right away?”
“If I think it interferes with official business, that key will be taken from you immediately.”
“That won’t happen, I promise. So… can I use it now?”
“…Fine.”
I bowed deeply to him.
“Then, I’ll be going.”
I headed straight to my room, changed into the training clothes I’d requested from Norbert in advance, and slipped back out of the quarters.
By then, aside from the duke’s office and a few work areas, the manor was dark.
The atmosphere felt strangely chilly.
Let’s hurry.
Starting tonight, I had two years.
Two years to regain my former strength. I’d have to sleep less and train more.
Circling around the knights’ quarters, I finally saw the tower Norbert had described.
Thump. Thump. Thump.
For some reason, my heart was pounding.
Even in fierce battles, my heart had stayed calm—but at the sight of that tower, it beat fast and loud.
This is the beginning.
Even “Sia” had started with nothing and climbed her way to the top.
The first climb is hard, but the second is easier.
Now, I was beginning my second climb.
And I would succeed. No matter what.
Two years later.
Snow lay thick over the duke’s vast gardens, layers built up through the passing seasons.
In the frigid north, spring, summer, and fall passed briefly, and a long winter had come again.
The once-peaceful Valrot Ducal Estate was as lively and bustling as ever.
“Who put these sprouting potatoes here?! Are you not paying attention?! Is this how you’re going to work? Do you not have eyes?!”
Head chef Rend’s booming voice shook the kitchen.
“Were you planning to serve this to His Highness?!”
The kitchen staff moved at lightning speed to fix the issue.
As the commotion settled, Rend patted the pile of meat on the counter and barked instructions.
“Alright, today we’re using the fresh lamb from yesterday. Michel, prep the salad. Alto, trim the vegetables for garnish. And—”
After delegating tasks swiftly, he turned to the meat.
From a few stations away, Anna whispered as she washed vegetables, “The head chef’s extra fired up today, huh?”
Riel chuckled softly. “Can you blame him? His Highness is coming back today.”
Anna nodded eagerly. “Oh, right!”
A year ago, Kardian had gone to war.
It was his first campaign since the appearance of the dark mage in the Remart conflict zone.
And now, he was returning—victorious, flawless, triumphant.
It had been a year since his departure.
“Oh, it’s Freya.”
Looking out the window, Anna spotted Freya walking through the garden, followed by young maid Sally and her brother John.
“You’re right.”
“She looks super busy again today, doesn’t she?”
“Yeah.”
“No time to hang out with us anymore, huh.”
“Well… probably not.”
Riel gazed at Freya with a wistful expression.
It feels like just yesterday we were sitting side by side peeling potatoes together…
Six months ago, Freya had become the house steward.
The steward was the heart of the estate—responsible for its honor, traditions, order, and dignity.
Freya had claimed a position that had always been reserved for men.
“Damn, that uniform suits her,” Anna muttered in the tipsy tone of the fruit seller old man, Bent.
Riel let out a small laugh.
Freya’s steward uniform was unlike any other noble household’s.
Commissioned specially by Count Norbert, it was tailored for her.
When debate arose over whether a female steward should wear a dress or trousers, Freya hadn’t hesitated: trousers. For mobility.
The combination of black trousers and a white top emphasized her unique presence.
The white blouse, trimmed with elegant lace and frills—not overly lavish, not too plain—perfectly complemented her pale skin and conveyed professional dignity.
Why does the steward’s uniform look that good on her…
She looked as gallant as a young nobleman at a banquet. Handsome enough to make one’s heart flutter.
You’d never guess she was once just a maid.
She was no longer the girl who caused accidents because her knowledge outweighed her stamina.
As Riel and Anna stared dreamily, a roar like a beast snapped them back to reality.
“You two! Stop chatting! Riel, Anna—get the herbs and spices ready! Move!”
“Y-Yes, Chef!”
“Yes, coming!”
Reluctantly, they returned to their work.
“This is the poisonous herb, right?”
I received a glass container from gardener Patrick. Inside was the weed that had started spreading across the empire.
Looks like just a regular weed to me.
I tucked the container under my arm and nodded.
“I’ll send this to the Mage Tower. Let me know if you find any more.”
“Got it!”
As Patrick walked off, I glanced up at the sky.
Winter clouds crept slowly across the cold blue.
A sudden breeze brushed my skin, and my sharpened senses reacted immediately.
Vibrations. Sounds.
He’s coming. The duke.
I could feel it—his army advancing like a tide.
My gaze turned to the distant, snow-covered Hertia Mountains.
The tallest in the empire, home to the World Tree that guarded the continent.
Whoosh—the wind blew, stirring the frozen forests in the distance.
If I focused just a little more, I almost felt like I could meet his eyes from here.
I couldn’t stop the corner of my mouth from lifting.
At the same time, I clenched my fist tightly.
Come on, Duke.
Hurry and see for yourself.
“Learn well from Norbert. Who knows? If you grow into someone I truly can’t do without, I might just reveal the secrets you’re so curious about.”
I wanted to show him just how far I’d come.
To prove that I’d become someone indispensable to him.
And then… maybe you’ll finally decide to tell me everything you’ve been hiding.
Two hours left.
I turned back toward the estate to make my final preparations.
